Introduction
Thinking of sprucing up your garden with some planters? With the abundance of options for material and style, it can be difficult to determine which will truly fulfill your needs. We seek to relieve you of some of this stress by recommending that you go with teak wood for your planters. Continue reading for more information about why teak may be a great fit, as well as steps to maintain it.
What is Teak Wood?
Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical hardwood tree species that is best known for its impressive durability and water resistance. It is originally golden brown in color and has a smooth grain and texture. Teak wood has a high natural oil content, primarily silica, which provides its strength and decay resistance as well as its stunning color. All of these characteristics make it a very popular choice for outdoor furniture, countertops, cutting boards, and more.
Benefits of Teak
Beauty
Starting off with an obvious benefit of teak planters: their beauty. Teak’s unique golden color is highly sought after. It makes a beautiful, natural addition to any garden. As teak is exposed to the elements, it transitions to a soft, gray patina. Many teak owners enjoy this distinguished silvery-gray look. Others prefer the teak’s original color and take steps to preserve it.
Durability
One of the most appealing characteristics of teak wood is its trusty durability. Teak is a very hard wood, so cracking and splintering are minimal. As previously mentioned, teak has large amounts of oil. Because oil and water don't mix, rain cannot easily penetrate the surface. This makes it water-resistant as well as resistant to rotting and warping. This is an extremely important quality for a planter, as water is essential for healthy plants.
Versatility
Part of teak’s versatility comes from the fact that it offers two distinct colors—golden brown or silvery gray. This allows it to fit right in with a multitude of different aesthetic styles. Teak planters can provide a subtle, muted elegance, as well as a warm, inviting element to your garden.
What’s more is that you are not permanently locked into either of these colors. If you choose to uphold the original golden color, finish your wood with a sealer. If you want to try out the gray, skip the yearly staining and see the new color come in.
How to Maintain Your Teak Planters
In order to ensure that your planters live up to their expectations, some maintenance is recommended. Feel free to check out our blog on restoring outdoor teak furniture for a more in-depth guide.
Clean Your Teak
Hose off your planter to remove any loose dirt. Grab a soft brush, sponge, or rag and begin cleaning with a teak cleaner or a simple soapy water solution. Be sure to avoid using a metal brush or steel wool on your teak, as they are too harsh.
Grab your hose again and rinse your planter once more. This step is important, as leftover soap can interfere with the refinishing process and wear down your wood.
Sand
Sanding your planter will remove the outer layer of gray wood and any leftover impurities. Use a medium to coarse-grit sandpaper or a finer grit if any rough patches persist. If you have a lot of surface area to cover, you can opt for a power sander. Just be sure to wear a dust mask and eye protection if you go this route.
Wash Once More
Giving your planter one more wash ensures that all dust and debris are cleaned from the surface. For this step, we recommend a simple water and vinegar solution. Gently rub the solution on with a sponge or rag, then rinse it off with your hose.
Apply a Sealer
This step will provide extra protection to your teak as well as preserve its natural color for longer. It is important to note that you should take caution when choosing a sealer for planters, especially if you are growing edible plants. Look for an eco-friendly, non-toxic wood preservative—safe for you and your plants. You can use this on the inside and outside of your planters.
To apply the sealer, we recommend first pouring it into a bowl. Then, dip a rag into the bowl and rub the rag over your planter. After you’ve covered the whole surface area, give it a few hours to dry and add a second coat.
For best results, repeat this process every year.
In Conclusion…
Teak provides a unique beauty, durability, and versatility that your planters need. Little maintenance is required to uphold these benefits, especially if you prefer to let your teak age to its soft, gray patina. Either way, your gardens will look lovely with the addition of teak planters.
Where You Buy Your Teak Matters
At Diamond Tropical Hardwoods, all of our teak has been sustainably sourced from our plantations in Costa Rica. It is all 100% FSC and FEQ certified with proper chain of custody certifications.
Diamond Tropical Hardwoods has been making teak wood planters for 20 years. They contain marine-grade stainless steel hardware and trusted waterproof adhesives. Each comes with drainage holes and your soil can be placed directly in the planter—no need for a liner.
If you’re looking for a unique custom order, we are up for just about any challenge you throw our way. Send us an email or call to begin constructing your dream planter today!
215-257-2556
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